Ghanaian election: Social media ban not off the table - Police IG

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Kudalor has reiterated his call for social media ban on election day if users post information that will threaten the peace of the country.

According to him, the citizens have so far not given the police reasons to block various social media platforms on elections day.

"So far, so good...whether we will shut it down or not, I don't want to go there, when we get to the bridge we will cross it but as at now, we have no intention to shut down social media if you continue to be good citizens," he indicated.

Mr Kudalor earlier this year indicated that if need be, the police administration would block social media on the eve and on elections day.

Many Ghanaians found his intention as a threat to the promotion of Ghana's developing democracy and an infringement on the rights of the people to freely express themselves.

Not long after the backlash, President John Dramani Mahama in contradiction to the IGP's recommendation said: "preventing access to social media such as Facebook will not solve the problem of policing the integrity of the ballot."

With about 43 days to elections, the IGP Kudalor in his interaction with the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and some Muslim leaders reiterated his point to recommend a social media ban on elections day.

He said the police will continue to educate people on how to be responsible in the kind of information they circulate on social media to avoid the enforcement of a possible ban.

The interaction with the leaders is the latest of the IGP Dialogue Series which follows one with the Ghana Catholic Bishops and Christian council.

IGP Kudalor also entreated Muslim leaders to assist in ensuring peaceful polls this year as he believes chiefs, Imams, and other opinion leaders can hugely influence the youth who are most likely to be used for violence during elections.

The National Chief Imam, through an interpreter, thanked Allah for the peace in the country.

He said one reason why Allah created people with different religions is to enhance the ability of man to coexist peacefully "and not be at each other's throat."

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu called for a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the upcoming general elections.